Tip of the Day: Two ways to know your bread is done

by Shayna Glick, Posted Sep 1st 2008 @ 6:00AM

When you're baking at home, it can be difficult to tell if your bread is done. It may look like it, but here are two ways to know for sure.

Unless you have some experience, it's a little tricky to tell when your bread is done. There are two main ways to know for sure.

The first method is to use a thermometer. Bread is done baking at 190°F. Just stick a thermometer in the bottom of the loaf to gets its temperature, and if it's at 190 then it's done.

The other method for checking done-ness is the old reliable thump test. This method has been used since goodness knows when; definitely since before ready access to probe thermometers. Using oven mitts or pot holders, take the loaf out of the oven and hold it top side down. With the bottom side up and using your index and middle fingers, firmly tap the loaf. If the resulting thud sounds like tapping on a hollow tree, then the bread is done.

The thermometer test is a little more cut and dry, while the thump test needs a little bit of practice. The thermometer may be a little easier, but the thump test is very traditional and is definitely worth knowing, especially if you don't have a thermometer handy.

Filed Under: Tip of the Day
Tags: baking, bread, done baking, DoneBaking, temperature, thump test, ThumpTest, tip of the day, TipOfTheDay

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-03-2008 @4:34PM mason tomlinson said... how can you put a thermomaterin the bottom of a loof of bread when it's in a loaf pan???
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9-05-2008 @4:49PM ruth said... Been baking breads for years and I still use the toothpick in the middle of the loaf. If it comes out clean, the bread is done. Never fails and always perfect breads.
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